Some days I swear I am a maid!

Am I the only one who follows the littles around the house, outside, and into the car in a bent walk because I have to pick up the million and one things they leave behind? I didn't think so!

Some days it doesn't seem so bad, but other days, holy Toledo it gets on my nerves! So, in lieu of raising my blood pressure any higher, I started the littles on a chore chart - of course I have to pay up to get them to participate, but it's a small price to pay for my sanity!

I found this great chore chart online that you can personalize and print - I recommend it to all of my fellow maids who need a hand:

http://www.dltk-cards.com/chart/

I get the kids involved by helping define the chores and then they can pick the icon for the chart and colour it in... they love it! Well, what they actually love is getting some cold hard cash for minor little chores! I pay them each $7 a week (i.e. $1 a day) IF their chart is complete - if they miss doing even one thing they automatically lose a $1. Their allowance is to be used for their own "play money" - they buy stuff like candy, toys, junk at the dollar store, etc. But, they have become really good savers too and have bought big ticket items (i.e $100-$200 price tags).

Other references:

As you know, I love Gail Vaz-Oxlade and believe strongly in her theories around money management. She has a great blog where you can search for kids & money. Here's one to get you started: http://gailvazoxlade.com/blog/archives/category/kids-money.

Good luck and let me know how you make out... any tips/suggestions are appreciated! xo

Hi, my name is Sylvia and I am a crack addict!

Unfortunately for me, there are no group sessions to help me with my addiction. Therefore, I just keep at it and hope that one day the grocery store will run out of ingredients. Yes, I am a crack addict - CHRISTMAS CRACK - not the kind you're thinking of!!!

Once you've tried this recipe, you will find yourself hiding in various places around your house trying just one more piece before the kids or hubby find out! You tell your kids that it's no good - made with cauliflower, kale, spinach, broccoli and other things you know that they won't touch - only so that you can eat it all yourself!

Enjoy!

Christmas Crack

 

• 1 sleeve of salted crackers
• 1 cup of butter (the real stuff!)
• 1 cup of brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips (I use milk chocolate)

 

 

• preheat oven to 350 degrees
• line a cookie sheet with parchment paper
• arrange crackers salt-side up
• melt butter in a pot
• stir in brown sugar (with the melted butter) until melted and smooth
• bring to a boil, whisking, for about 2 minutes
• pour mixture evenly over the crackers
• bake for 5 minutes
• sprinkle chocolate chips evenly and return to oven until melted (about one minute)
• smooth chocolate with a spatula
• place the pan in the freezer
• once frozen, break into smaller pieces and put in a Tupperware container
• return to freezer
• try and control yourself

Caveat: I am not responsible for any weight gain, sugar rushes or other issues related to the overindulgence of crack! xo